On July 16, 2025, Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) staff were alerted to a suspicious substance in mail received at the administration building. The area was secured and evacuated. About five envelopes containing photos with a strong odor were isolated. At approximately 12:15 p.m., DOC incident command was activated.

 

TRCI worked with the Umatilla Fire Department and their HAZMAT team to investigate and assess any hazards. Four Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) employees were exposed and had reactions to the substance. As a precaution, staff were decontaminated before being transported offsite for further evaluation. HAZMAT tested the mail and cleared the site after no dangerous substances were detected.

 

DOC takes all threats to staff and adults in custody seriously. This incident underscores the importance of preventing dangerous substances from entering DOC facilities.

 

TRCI is a multi-custody prison in Umatilla that houses approximately 1,800 adults in custody. TRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including institution and industrial laundry, mattress manufacturing, and sewing. Other institution work programs include reparation and cleaning of irrigation ditches, maintenance of local baseball fields, and work with local cities and the Hermiston School District. The facility provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, religious services, and behavioral health services. TRCI opened in 2000.

 

 

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Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Michael Reese today announced the appointment of Kevin Bovenkamp as the new Assistant Director of Health Services. He will join the DOC team August 11, 2025.

 

Mr. Bovenkamp began his career in corrections in 2005, as the Director of Organizational Development with Washington State Department of Corrections (WA DOC) and more recently served as the Assistant Secretary of WA DOC’s Health Services Division from 2013 to 2019.

 

Mr. Bovenkamp brings more than 20 years of experience working in corrections and in health care services, with 7 years of that time in correctional health services settings. He is passionate about public service and deeply committed to equity, accountability, and quality care for justice-involved populations.

 

Before joining DOC, Mr. Bovenkamp served as the Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. There he oversaw statewide healthcare operations, behavioral health services, and habilitative supports. As part of this role, Mr. Bovenkamp directed healthcare staffing initiatives, succession planning, and leadership development that strengthen team performance and built organizational resilience.

 

In addition to completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at Seattle University, he has a certificate in Executive Management from University of Washington, and a Master of Science degree in Health/Correctional Health Care Administration from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

 

“I am excited to welcome Mr. Bovenkamp to the Oregon DOC team. I am confident he will make a significant impact, both for Health Services and for DOC,” stated DOC Director Michael Reese.

 

The Oregon Department of Corrections Health Services provides health care to adults in custody (AICs) at each institution. State and federal laws ensure that AICs are entitled to health care during incarceration. Healthcare services to AICs must be comparable to health care provided in the community. This means all types and levels of health care must be provided in a clinically appropriate manner by properly credentialed professionals in settings equipped and designed for the delivery of health care. Health care includes medical, dental, psychiatric, and mental health services.

 

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An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, William Carl Jordan, died the evening of July 13, 2025. Jordan was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

 

Jordan entered DOC custody on June 6, 2024, from Washington County with an earliest release date of September 17, 2026. Jordan was 68 years old.

  

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

 

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

 

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Yakima, Wash. – Thirteen people are charged following the return of 12 indictments alleging more than a dozen charges against these defendants for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana on the Yakama Nation Reservation. 

 

The arrests follow a long-term joint federal, local, and tribal investigation that began in late 2024, concluding in June 2025, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The investigation targeted violent individuals and armed drug traffickers on the Yakama Nation and in the Yakima Valley with the goal to disrupt drug distributors operation both on and off the reservation. 

 

“In late 2024, escalating drug-related activity—including opioid trafficking, overdose fatalities, and an alarming number of homicides—prompted the DEA to select the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation for a 120-day drug initiative under DEA Operation Overdrive,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The fentanyl powder and pills that we took off the streets could have yielded about 250-thousand lethal doses, enough to kill everyone living in Yakima County.  Enough to kill every member of the Yakama Nation more than eight times over. “ 

 

Operation Overdrive is a national, multi-phased program, which targets hot spots where drugs and violent crime are prevalent. The DEA utilizes its full range of data, intelligence, operational resources, and partnerships to combat drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths. The goals of Operation Overdrive are to decrease overdose rates in target areas, decrease gun violence rates, increase community engagement, and remove the drug networks that are causing harm to our communities.

 

“Fentanyl continues to be one of the most dangerous substances threatening our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. “Thanks to the hard work and tireless dedication of our tribal, state and federal law enforcement partners, working side by side with members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Yakima, offenders have been removed from our communities and families are safer today.”

 

To date, agents have seized 7,100 pounds of marijuana, 336 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 25 pounds of cocaine, 7 pounds of fentanyl power, 4,704 fentanyl laced pills, $22,512 in drug proceeds, and 12 firearms. 

 

According to unsealed charging documents, the following individuals have been charged in connection with the investigation. The United States anticipates bringing additional charges against other individuals identified during this investigation. 

 

Angel Navarro Aleman, age 55, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams and More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine (three counts) 

 

Jose Francisco Aguirre, age 56, pleaded guilty to Distribution of 50 Grams and More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine; sentencing in July 2025. 

 

Jose Caudillo-Ascencio, age 23 charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance Containing Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

 

Jesus Caudillo, age 31, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm 

 

Johnny Thomas Axtell, age 54, charged with Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine; Distribution of Fentanyl

 

Israel Nicolas Castaneda, age 37, charged with Distribution of Fentanyl; Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl

 

Samantha Rasberry-Besa, age 31, charged with Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

 

Lonzell Hawk Lucei, age 37, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm

 

Hollis Marion Woodward, age 70, pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of a Firearm, sentencing in September 2025. 

 

Miguel Angel Alvarado-Munoz, age 45, charged with Alien in United States After Deportation

 

Ira Charles Pete, age 39, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm 

 

Edgar Jovnni Nunez Bocanegra, age 29, charged with Drug User in Possession of a Firearm; Possession with Intent to Distribute 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime

 

Fernando Gonzalez, age 38, charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm 

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation along with Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, Yakima Police Department, Wapato Police Department, Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department, and the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office. 

 

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